Slipknot Fans Threaten Boycott Over Marilyn Manson Support Slot on New World Tour

Heavy metal giants Slipknot have unveiled plans for a sprawling new world tour, but the announcement has been overshadowed by a fierce backlash from sections of their fanbase over the choice of Marilyn Manson as a supporting act.

The masked nine-piece — long renowned for their theatrical stage presence and aggressive sound — confirmed that Manson, the controversial US rock musician, will join them at London's Wembley Stadium as well as on several dates across the South American leg of the trek. Metalcore outfit Hatebreed will also appear on the London bill.

The news was shared via an Instagram post detailing the line-up for the capital's stadium show. Almost immediately, thousands of comments flooded in, with reactions ranging from elation to outright anger.

While plenty of followers welcomed the pairing, a significant contingent expressed dismay that Manson — whose real name is Brian Warner — had been added to the bill. Many described the decision as "disappointing," while others vowed to withhold their money entirely in protest.

One commenter wrote that they would have loved to attend but could not countenance putting cash into Manson's pockets. Another simply branded the announcement a letdown and confirmed they would stay away from the shows.

Not everyone shared that view. Some fans argued the two artists share a substantial crossover audience and that Manson, a veteran of the shock-rock scene, was a natural fit for the slot. One supporter went as far as calling him a "perfect support act."

The division reflects a broader tension within the heavy music community, where questions about separating the art from the artist have grown increasingly prominent in recent years.

At the centre of the controversy are allegations that first gained widespread public attention in 2021, when actress Evan Rachel Wood accused Manson of abuse during their relationship, which lasted roughly three years from 2007. In a widely shared statement, Wood said she had been "horrifically abused" and "manipulated," explaining that she came forward to warn others about what she described as a dangerous man.

Manson responded at the time by rejecting the claims outright, characterising them as "horrible distortions of reality" and insisting that his intimate relationships had always been entirely consensual. He has consistently and strongly denied all allegations made against him.

Wood's account prompted several other women to come forward on social media with similar accusations against the singer. The allegations later formed the focus of a 2022 documentary series titled Phoenix Rising, which centred on Wood's claims.

The dispute subsequently moved into the legal arena. Manson filed a defamation suit against Wood and another woman, alleging they had impersonated FBI agents and forged federal documents. A judge dismissed a number of his claims, and in 2024 the case was settled, with Manson agreeing to cover Wood's legal fees.

Separately, authorities in Los Angeles confirmed last year that no criminal charges would be brought against Manson following a four-year investigation into accusations of domestic abuse and sexual assault involving multiple women. The district attorney's office explained that the domestic abuse allegations fell "outside of the statute of limitations," and that it could not "prove charges of sexual assault beyond a reasonable doubt."

That decision effectively closed the criminal chapter of the matter, but it has done little to quiet the debate among fans and within the wider music industry. For many ticket-buyers, the absence of charges does not resolve the ethical questions raised by Manson's continued presence on major festival and stadium bills.

The timing of the announcement is notable, arriving as Slipknot prepare for one of the most ambitious touring cycles of their career. Wembley Stadium represents a significant landmark for any rock act, and the band will be hoping the controversy does not dampen demand for what is expected to be a flagship event.

Representatives for Manson and promoters Live Nation UK have been approached for comment by BBC Newsbeat. Neither had responded at the time of publication.

For Slipknot, the episode presents a familiar dilemma faced by legacy acts with devoted, highly engaged audiences. Their fanbase is famously passionate and vocal, and the reaction on social media suggests the support slot has become a genuine point of contention rather than a passing grumble.

Whether the discontent translates into meaningful ticket losses, or whether the lure of a Wembley headline show ultimately outweighs the objections, remains to be seen. What is clear is that the announcement has ignited a conversation that will likely follow the tour long after the first tickets go on sale.